The General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops published the final report of Study Group No. 5, dedicated to the theme “The Participation of Women in the Life and Governance of the Church.” The document emerges within the context of the synodal process promoted by Pope Francis and explores one of the themes that has most strongly emerged during the synodal journey.

Presenting the report, Cardinal Mario Grech, Secretary General of the Synod, underlined that the question of the role of women in the Church is also deeply linked to cultural factors. In many parts of the world, cultural challenges influence the way faith is lived and sometimes prevail over evangelical values.

According to Grech, the Church’s mission today is to incarnate the Gospel within different cultures, promoting respect for the rights of all and co-responsibility according to each person’s vocation. This process requires courage, accompaniment, and patience to foster gradual changes that strengthen ecclesial communion, overcome discrimination, and value the gifts and charisms of every person, women and men.

The document is available here:

The Participation of Women in the Life and Leadership of the Church

Executive Summary